Defending Your Custody Agreement: Protecting Your Education Choices

Why Your Child May Be Eligible For Social Security Benefits

20 June 2018 by Daryl Young

Injured or retired workers are entitled to Social Security benefits, but they aren't the only ones who are entitled to the funds. As a former employee, your kids are also entitled to Social Security benefits under some circumstances. Here are some of the essential facts you should know about Social Security benefits for children:

The Child Doesn't Have To Be Your Biological Offspring

In the context of Social Security benefits, the word "child" doesn't mean your biological offspring. Your adopted child or even dependent stepchild becomes eligible for Social Security benefits if you become disabled or pass away. For example, if you have an orphan grandchild whom you have been taking care of since their parent died, the grandchild will become eligible for Social Security benefits if you become disabled and unable to take care of them.

The Child Doesn't Have To Be a Minor

As a rule, an eligible child continues to receive Social Security benefits until they reach the age of 18. Like many Social Security rules, however, there are exceptions to this rule that may allow your child to receive the benefits past their 18^th birthday. For example, your children over the age of 18 will continue receiving the benefits if they have disabilities that started before their 22^nd birthday. It is also possible for high school students to receive Social Security benefits even if they are over the age of 18.

There Is a Family Benefit Maximum

The Social Security benefits that your child is eligible for is usually expressed as a percentage of your retirement age benefit. If you have multiple eligible children, each of them will receive the amounts for which they are eligible up to a point. This is because there is a maximum amount that each family can receive. Therefore, your children may not receive their maximum benefits if doing so would violate the family benefit maximum rule.

The Parent Doesn't Have To Be Disabled or Dead

Lastly, you should know that you don't have to die or get disabled for your child to benefit from your social security contributions. Your child may be eligible for the benefits if you retire while they are still young (say you had them late in life) or if it's the child who has become disabled.

Do you think your kids deserve Social Security benefits or has your application for such been denied? In any of those circumstances, Social Security disability insurance services should be able to help you ensure your kids get the benefits they deserve.

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